The funny thing about this is that there were posters on this forum adamantly arguing that the Pat's players didn't have playbooks. I think it is safe to assume that the Pats will do their due dilliengence whenever possible. To assume otherwise is nothing short of silly.

Based on that, I'd conjecture any rookie has access to a playbook as well.

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Well that is a bit worrisome. I forget who authored it, but an ex-player wrote an article last year about the lengths teams would go to acquire other teams' playbooks and went to extraordinary lengths to be sure no playbooks were left behind, such as in the hotel, etc.

If players have playbooks in their possession away from team facilities, SOMEONE is going to end up "losing" one.

The funny thing about this is that there were posters on this forum adamantly arguing that the Pat's players didn't have playbooks. I think it is safe to assume that the Pats will do their due dilliengence whenever possible. To assume otherwise is nothing short of silly.

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Assuming teams followed the rules, rookies weren't given playbooks by the teams, with the exception of day 1 selections. Now, were there teams breaking the rules? Maybe. Were teams giving extra playbooks to other players so that they could give them to the future draftees? Maybe.

I think this whole "who does/doesn't have a playbook" issue is overrated unless you're a veteran with experience in the system. Even then, it likely won't reflect scheme changes slated for implementation during training camp. Players need to work with each other under coaching supervision for any of that stuff to really be meaningful.

Assuming teams followed the rules, rookies weren't given playbooks by the teams, with the exception of day 1 selections. Now, were there teams breaking the rules? Maybe. Were teams giving extra playbooks to other players so that they could give them to the future draftees? Maybe.

If so, none of that's gotten out in the press.

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Are playbooks still ordinary paper books or notebooks? If so, they are VERY easy to photocopy.

Even if they're electronic now, which I much doubt, copying wouldn't be that hard.

Assuming teams followed the rules, rookies weren't given playbooks by the teams, with the exception of day 1 selections. Now, were there teams breaking the rules? Maybe. Were teams giving extra playbooks to other players so that they could give them to the future draftees? Maybe.

If so, none of that's gotten out in the press.

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I suspect that's exactly what happened - if one player has them all the players have them.

Either that or they're referring to playbooks from the previous year that weren't collected as diligently by coaches expecting a lockout... perhaps even "new" playbooks from late in the last season - but my guess is that they're talking about last year's playbooks.

And in reality the majority of the plays aren't likely to change that much if the personnel is still the same - playcalling will change, terminology may change, new nuances - but the main plays will still be the main plays.

Still, I take little solace from the thought that rookies can review last year's playbook or even this years. I'd prefer them to be practicing in front of their coaches rather than reviewing playbooks.

Assuming teams followed the rules, rookies weren't given playbooks by the teams, with the exception of day 1 selections. Now, were there teams breaking the rules? Maybe. Were teams giving extra playbooks to other players so that they could give them to the future draftees? Maybe.

If so, none of that's gotten out in the press.

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I have also thought about this a couple of times. I think the pats would be stupid if they didn't have their playbooks ready to give out to the players the second that lockout was lifted. I would have tried to give Mayo 3+ playbooks and Brady 3+ and make it their responsibility to hand them out to the rookies and also run the player camps with them.

Based on that, I'd conjecture any rookie has access to a playbook as well.

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Maybe they gave Edleperson his if he was in on the one day the lockout was lifted. Or maybe he photocopied his as many players do although you're supposed to be smart enough to not mention that on TV lest you get royally reamed when you next meet up with the coaching staff...

Bill hates disorganization and random players including many who may land on someone else's roster this season working with playbooks smacks of it. He is a control freak and while he does delegate it's still a controlled operation...

Playbooks are generally inches thick and cumulative so from season to season they are pared down to what the coaches determine will be the base approaches to the season and/or what they want specific players to be working on. Vets can usually wing it when a team is trying to adjust and they want to reach back into the master playbook. Rookies and newbies not so much...

Maybe they gave Edleperson his if he was in on the one day the lockout was lifted. Or maybe he photocopied his as many players do although you're supposed to be smart enough to not mention that on TV lest you get royally reamed when you next meet up with the coaching staff...

Bill hates disorganization and random players including many who may land on someone else's roster this season working with playbooks smacks of it. He is a control freak and while he does delegate it's still a controlled operation...

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Play books this early in the process are pretty vanilla, and more of a foundation. As training camp and preseason (and even the season) progress, the playbooks more and become much more detailed. If you can find it, BB gave a great description of the evolution of a playbook in a presser sometime last pre-season.

Assuming teams followed the rules, rookies weren't given playbooks by the teams, with the exception of day 1 selections. Now, were there teams breaking the rules? Maybe. Were teams giving extra playbooks to other players so that they could give them to the future draftees? Maybe.

If so, none of that's gotten out in the press.

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Here's how that conversation goes:

Bill: Hey Nate, here's your playbook, we've accidentally left 12 others in there. Half for the Offense and Half for the Defense. Do you understand?

Solder: Yes.

Bill: Here's Mankins and Vollmer's number. Just don't get hurt.

Solder gives out the playbooks at the Camp and Dowling, Vereen, Ridley, Mallett etc get some experience before their Practices.